The name Briscall was first used by the ancient Strathclyde-Briton people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The first Briscall to use this name no doubt lived in Briscoe in Scotland. The name Briscall is a habitational name, derived from a few sources. One source shows the name is derived from the Old Norse word Bretaskógr, which means, wood of the Britons. The second source shows that it may also be derived from the Old Norse words birki and stógr, which mean birch wood.

Briscall Early Origins

The surname Briscall was first found in Briscoe, near Carlisle where the family were seated for three generations before the reign of Edward III. Later in Crofton in Cumbria (formerly Cumberland) and at Birkskeugh, in the parish of Newbiggan, were the ancestral homes of the family since 1390. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print. One of the first records of the name in Cumberland was Isold de Briskow. Later William Brys(k)how was listed in Yorkshire in 1410. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)

Briscall Spelling Variations

Briscall Spelling Variations

Scribes in Medieval Scotland spelled names by sound rather than any set of rules, so an enormous number of spelling variations exist in names of that era. Briscall has been spelled Brisco, Briscoe, Briscowe, Briscow, Briskoe, Briskcoe, Briskcow, Briskow, Briskowe, Bresco, Brescoe and many more.

Briscall Early History

Briscall Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Briscall research. Another 489 words (35 lines of text) covering the years 1280, 1590, 1332, 1845, 1606, 1688, 1654, 1659, 1588, 1656 and 1690 are included under the topic Early Briscall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Briscall Early Notables (pre 1700)

Briscall Early Notables (pre 1700)

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Briscall Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Briscall In Ireland

Briscall In Ireland

Some of the Briscall family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 247 words (18 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

The Great Migration

The number of Strathclyde Clan families sailing for North America increased steadily as the persecution continued. In the colonies, they could find not only freedom from the iron hand of the English government, but land to settle on. The American War of Independence allowed many of these settlers to prove their independence, while some chose to go to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots played essential roles in the forging of both great nations. Among them: Dr. John Briscoe who settled in Maryland. He set sail from Newbiggin, Cumberland, and settled in America in 1632; soon after the Mayflower; Ann Brisco settled in Virginia in 1635.

Motto

Motto

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

The Briscall Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Briscall Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.